Method and structure for implementing B2B trading partner boarding

Abstract

A computerized method (and structure) of implementing a business-to-business (B2B) boarding process includes providing a set of questions related to the B2B boarding process to a new business to be boarded into an existing B2B system.

1 . A computerized method of implementing a business-to-business (B2B) boarding process, said method comprising: 
 providing a set of questions related to said B2B boarding process to a new business to be boarded into an existing B2B system.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 comparing a set of responses to said set of questions to data in a B2B database to determine which of existing processes or components in said existing B2B system are appropriate for said boarding process.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 comparing a set of responses to said set of questions to data in a B2B database to determine what changes are necessary to existing processes or components in said existing B2B system for said boarding process.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 comparing a set of responses to said set of questions to data in a B2B database to determine what computerized processes or components are necessary for said new business to implement to set up a new B2B system with said existing B2B system.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one of providing information related to implementing a B2B system with said new business; 
 automatically developing one or more components of a B2B system in said existing B2B system for said new business, based on said comparing; and    automatically implementing one or more components of a B2B system in said existing B2B system for said new business, based on said comparing.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one of: 
 providing information related to implementing a B2B system with said new business;    automatically developing one or more new components of a B2B system in said existing B2B system for said new business, based on said comparing; and    automatically implementing one or more new components of a B2B system said existing B2B system for said new business, based on said comparing    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one of: 
 providing information related to implementing a B2B system with said new business;    automatically developing one or more components of a B2B system for said new business, based on said comparing; and    automatically implementing one or more components of a B2B system for said new business, based on said comparing.    
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) for at least one of: 
 providing a set of questions related to a business-to-business (B2B) boarding process to a new business to be boarded into an existing B2B system;    means for allowing a user to respond to said set of questions;    means for entering said set of questions into a questionnaire;    means for entering commands to control an analysis of said responses with a database containing B2B boarding process information; and    means for displaying a result of said analysis.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a memory interface to said database.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one expert system to at least one of: 
 compare said responses with said B2B boarding process information in said database;    prepare information for a new boarding process based on said responses; and    prepare components for said new boarding process.    
     
     
         11 . A server in a computer network, said server comprising: 
 a memory containing data on a business-to-business (B2B) boarding process for comparison with responses to a questionnaire for a new B2B boarding process.    
     
     
         12 . The server of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one expert system to at least one of: 
 compare said responses with said B2B boarding process information in said database;    prepare information for a new boarding process based on said responses; and    prepare components for said new boarding process.    
     
     
         13 . A system comprising: 
 a database containing business-to-business (B2B) boarding process information;    a user interface (UI) for at least one of: 
 providing a set of questions related to said B2B boarding process to a new business to be boarded into an existing B2B system;  
 means for allowing a user to respond to said set of questions;  
 means for entering said set of questions into a questionnaire;  
 means for entering commands to control an analysis of said responses with said database containing B2B boarding process information; and  
 means for displaying a result of said analysis; and  
   a memory interface to said database.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one expert system to at least one of: 
 compare said responses with said B2B boarding process information in said database;    prepare information for a new boarding process based on said responses; and    prepare components for said new boarding process.    
     
     
         15 . A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a computerized method of assisting an implementation of a business-to-business (B2B) boarding process, said instructions on said signal-bearing medium comprising at least one of: 
 instructions to present a set of questions related to said B2B boarding process to a new business to be boarded into an existing B2B system;    instructions for a user interface (UI) for at least one of: 
 providing a set of questions related to said B2B boarding process to a new business to be boarded into an existing B2B system;  
 means for allowing a user to respond to said set of questions;  
 means for entering said set of questions into a questionnaire;  
 means for entering commands to control an analysis of said responses with said database containing B2B boarding process information; and  
 means for displaying a result of said analysis;  
   instructions to interface to said database; and    at least one expert system to at least one of: 
 compare said responses with said B2B boarding process information in said database;  
 prepare information for a new boarding process based on said responses; and  
 prepare components for said new boarding process.  
   
     
     
         16 . A method of implementing a business-to-business (B2B) boarding process, said method comprising: 
 means for presenting a set of questions related to said B2B boarding process to a new business to be boarded into an existing B2B system; and    means for comparing responses to said questions with information in a database containing B2B boarding process information and developing information related to a boarding process based on said responses.    
     
     
         17 . A method of implementing a business-to-business (B2B) system between two business entities, said method comprising at least one of: 
 receiving a questionnaire having questions related to said implementation of a B2B system;    providing said questionnaire to a representative of a potential trading partner;    responding to said questions on said questionnaire as a representative of said potential trading partner;    receiving responses of said questions on said questionnaire;    consulting a database containing data on possible responses to said questions;    determining information related to a new B2B system implementation, based on said consulting; and    implementing at least one B2B system component, based on said determining information.    
     
     
         18 . A service to at least assist in implementing a business-to-business (B2B) boarding process, said service comprising at least one of: 
 developing a questionnaire having questions related to said implementation of a B2B system;    providing said questionnaire to a representative of a business entity;    receiving responses of said questions on said questionnaire;    consulting a database containing data on possible responses to said questions;    determining information related to a new B2B system implementation, based on said consulting;    implementing at least one B2B system component, based on said determining information;    developing said database; and    maintaining said database.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said B2B boarding process conforms to a RosettaNet set of standards.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said information related to implementing a B2B system comprises at least one of: 
 a listing of tasks to be performed;    a milestone report; and    a time schedule.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said information related to implementing a B2B system comprises at least one of: 
 a listing of tasks to be performed;    a milestone report; and    a time schedule.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said information related to implementing a B2B system comprises at least one of: 
 a listing of tasks to be performed;    a milestone report; and    a time schedule.